Potato Leek Soup (French)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 large leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped (about 5 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into ½- inch pieces
• 7 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (lemon thyme very nice) 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute milk)
• Chives, finely chopped, for serving

Instructions

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large soup pot. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until soft and wilted, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary so as not to brown.
2. Add the potatoes, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper to pot and bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft.
3. Fish out the thyme sprig and bay leaves, then purée the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, use a standard blender to purée the soup in batches; see note.) Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If soup is too thin, simmer until thickened. If it's too thick, add water or stock to thin it out. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
4. Note: If using a standard blender to purée the soup: be sure not to fill the jar more than halfway; leave the hole in the lid open and cover loosely with a dishtowel to allow the heat to escape; and pour blended soup into a clean pot.
5. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen, without the cream, for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. Once heated through, add the cream and bring to a simmer before serving.

Pioneer Woman’s Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Yield 10 servings

Ingredients

• 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into three-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup butter (1-1/2 sticks), plus two tablespoons, all cut into one-inch pieces
• 1 head of roasted garlic cloves
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2  to 3/4 cup half and half
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh chives, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer over high heat and add the potatoes. Cover the pot with a lid that is set slightly ajar and bring the water to a boil.  
2. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes, or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F.
4. When the potatoes are fork-tender, drain them into a colander then transfer them back into the dry pot.
5. Add 1-1/2 sticks of butter, roasted garlic, the 8-ounce package of cream cheese, and about 1/2 cup of half-and-half. Mash the potatoes to incorporate the ingredients.
6. Mash in the Lawry’s Seasoning salt and black pepper. Continue to mash until the potatoes are smooth, creamy and the seasoning is evenly distributed.
7. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a medium-sized baking dish.
8. Add two tablespoons of butter pieces over the top of the mashed potatoes and bake in the oven until the butter is melted and the potatoes are heated through.
9. Immediately garnish the mashed potatoes with the fresh chives.

Southern Dill Potato Salad

Southern Dill Potato Salad




 Original recipe makes 8 servings

• 10 unpeeled red potatoes
• 5 hard boiled eggs, roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, or to taste

• 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon dried dill weed

• PREP
  20 mins
• COOK
  20 mins
• READY IN
  1 hr 10 mins

Directions

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover them with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through but still firm, about 20 minutes. Remove from the water, let cool, and cut the potatoes into chunks. Set the potatoes aside.
2. In a bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, onion, celery, celery salt, and salt and pepper until well mixed.
3. Place the potatoes and eggs in a large salad bowl, and sprinkle with dried dill. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and eggs, and mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. Serve cold.